Adsorbent Particles with Diglycolic Acid Residues for Rare Earth Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adsorbent materials for rare earth element recovery have limited adsorption capacity and inefficient desorption processes, making them less effective for large-scale recovery.
Innovation Solution
The development of adsorbent particles comprising carrier particles with an organic polymer, a hydrophilic organic compound adhered to the surface, and a diglycolic acid residue bonded to the hydrophilic compound, which enhances adsorption and desorption efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional adsorbent materials are used, then the adsorption capacity is limited, but the desorption efficiency is also insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the adsorbent material by introducing diglycolic acid residues bonded to hydrophilic organic compounds on the carrier particle surface. This chemical modification enables both high adsorption capacity and high desorption efficiency, resolving the contradiction between limited adsorption capacity and insufficient desorption efficiency of conventional materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite adsorbent structure consisting of carrier particles (inorganic or organic polymer) coated with hydrophilic organic compounds and functionalized with diglycolic acid residues. This composite material combines the advantages of different components to achieve both high adsorption capacity and efficient desorption, overcoming the limitations of single-material adsorbents
2Quantity of substance
If the hydrophilicity of the adsorbent surface is increased, then the adsorption capacity increases, but the desorption becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the hydrophilicity parameter by selecting appropriate hydrophilic organic compounds and controlling their content on the carrier particle surface. The diglycolic acid residue provides selective binding to rare earth elements while maintaining appropriate hydrophilicity, enabling both high adsorption capacity and easy desorption with acidic solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality modification by concentrating the diglycolic acid functional groups on the surface of carrier particles where they directly interact with rare earth elements. This localized functionalization ensures high adsorption capacity at the interface while the bulk material maintains properties favorable for desorption and regeneration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed adsorbent particles demonstrate a significant increase in rare earth element adsorption capacity and desorption efficiency, with a high proportion of adsorbed rare earth elements being desorbed using an acidic solution, thus facilitating efficient recovery.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophilic organic compound adhered to a surface of the carrier particle
Implementation Method 2
a diglycolic acid residue bonded to the hydrophilic organic compound
Implementation Method 3
bringing a solution containing a rare earth element into contact with the above-described adsorbent particles and thereby causing the rare earth element to be adsorbed to the adsorbent particles
Implementation Method 4
causing the rare earth element to be desorbed from the adsorbent particles by contact with an acidic solution containing an acid
Data Source
AI summary
Adsorbent particles each containing: a carrier particle containing an organic polymer containing a monomer unit derived from a styrene-based monomer; a hydrophilic organic compound adhered to a surface of the carrier particle; and a diglycolic acid residue bonded to the hydrophilic organic compound. When a BET specific surface of the adsorbent particles as determined by adsorption of nitrogen gas is X0 and a BET specific surface area of the adsorbent particles as determined by adsorption of water vapor is X1, X1/X0 is 0.10 to 1.0.